Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing XM Group vs FXTM for North Macedonia traders in 2026, both brokers offer robust forex and CFD trading environments, but key differences matter for local users. XM Group holds a strong 4.7/5 rating, excelling with lower spreads, a zero-rejection policy, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FXTM, rated 4.3/5, is known for its educational resources and localized support, but its spreads are slightly higher. For retail traders in North Macedonia, the choice often hinges on trading costs and account flexibility. The local financial regulator does not directly oversee these brokers, but both operate under reputable international licenses, ensuring a secure trading environment. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposits, Islamic accounts, and more to help you decide.
| Instrument | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 | FXTM |
Trading costs are a critical factor for North Macedonia traders. XM Group offers lower average spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD (from 0.6 pips) compared to FXTM (from 1.0 pips) on standard accounts. For a trader executing 10 lots per month, this difference saves approximately $40 in spread costs with XM. Both brokers charge no commissions on standard accounts, but FXTM’s higher spreads can add up over time. XM also provides a Micro account with ultra-low minimum trade sizes, ideal for smaller retail accounts in North Macedonia.
| Account Type | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:3000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and FXTM offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms preferred by North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and mobile access. XM also provides its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading. FXTM adds FXTM Trader, a proprietary mobile app with integrated educational content. For local traders, platform stability and speed are key, and both brokers deliver reliable execution on MT4/MT5, though XM’s platform has a slight edge in execution speed.
| Factor | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is strong at both brokers, but XM Group has a slight advantage with no requotes and a 99.35% order execution rate within 1 second. FXTM also offers fast execution with an average of 0.1 seconds on MT4, but some slippage may occur during high volatility. For North Macedonia traders trading news events, XM’s zero-rejection policy ensures orders are filled without delays.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither XM Group nor FXTM is directly regulated by North Macedonia’s local financial regulator, but both hold licenses from respected authorities: XM from CySEC and FSC, and FXTM from CySEC, FCA, and FSC. This means North Macedonia traders benefit from client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and access to dispute resolution mechanisms. XM’s zero-rejection policy offers added security, ensuring traders can always execute trades during volatile markets. FXTM’s FCA regulation provides an extra layer of oversight for UK-based operations.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for North Macedonia traders at both brokers. XM Group and FXTM accept Bank Transfer (1-3 business days, fees vary by bank), Skrill (instant, low fees), Neteller (instant, low fees), and USDT TRC20 (instant, minimal fees). XM has a lower minimum deposit of $5 compared to FXTM’s $10, making it more accessible for retail traders. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers take longer. Both brokers do not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, but third-party bank charges may apply. USDT TRC20 is particularly popular among North Macedonia traders for its speed and low cost.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in North Macedonia, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest on overnight positions. XM Group provides swap-free status automatically on all account types for eligible clients, with no additional fees. FXTM requires a formal request and may charge a small administration fee if positions are held for more than a specified period (e.g., 10 days). XM’s policy is more favorable for long-term traders, while FXTM suits shorter-term strategies.
| Support Feature | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group offers 24/5 customer support in multiple languages, including English, with live chat, email, and phone options. FXTM also provides 24/5 support but with more localized language options, including Macedonian. For North Macedonia traders, FXTM’s local language support can be a significant advantage, though XM’s response times are generally faster.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For North Macedonia traders, XM Group is the stronger choice overall due to its lower spreads, lower minimum deposit, and zero-rejection policy, which align well with retail trading needs. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but XM’s $5 minimum deposit makes it more accessible. FXTM’s Macedonian-language support and FCA regulation are valuable, but the higher spreads and Islamic account fees may deter cost-conscious traders. Considering the local financial regulator’s indirect oversight, XM Group’s 4.7/5 rating and trader-friendly features make it the recommended option for most North Macedonia traders in 2026.